Please forgive for this taking so long. Life has been crazier than normal, and honestly, I know where this story is going, but trying to get there has been a little tough. But the kiddos are gone for the week for I"m hoping to get some writing done while they are gone.
Also, being American, I am unsure of all the customs of the UK though I am desperately trying to learn. Also, I'm not sure when competitions happen over there, or if I am correct with all the schooling. Please give me some grace :-) Plus, it is fiction so lets just roll with it. If I honestly had time to research everything I would, but I don't. If I focused on research there would be zero time to write. But constructive criticism is great and if you want to help guide me at any point I will take it! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Three

It had been a week since that night at the pub, and Rose had been doing a pretty good job at avoiding Jack's calls. In the next few days that had passed since that night, Rose had begun to feel bad about how she acted. She knew better than to react that way. She was sure James wasn't the same as John...and she wasn't even sure why she was comparing the two.

Jack had been calling her all week to come hang out with everyone, but she had been giving him excuse after excuse, and he thankfully hadn't pushed. Jack understood Rose needed sometime, but he knew he would wear her down soon.

Rose's alarm blared and she reached out to turn it off. She never truly got a summer break. No sleeping in or being lazy. Competition started soon and she had no time to relax. After stretching, Rose got up and put on her running clothes. She took a peek outside and smiled. It was a beautiful day outside so she decided to take a run on the beach. This made getting up a little easier. Rose grabbed her music and a hair tie as she walked out the door, ready to start the day. With it being so early, she knew she's have the beach to herself and that made it even better.

She wasn't the only one who was up that early, deciding that it was a beautiful morning to be on the beach. James was sitting out on the sand, taking pictures and just enjoying some quiet time. Since being home, he'd been catching up with old friends, and helping Donna out with wedding errands. He loved Donna, but good grief that woman could drive him nuts. He knew Shaun must be a very special, or stupid, guy to put up with her.

James couldn't help but smile. He finally had the chance to meet Shaun, and he really was a great guy...much, much better than Lance. That made him scowl, remembering how Lance had used her, and how James hadn't been there for her. Donna would roll her eyes and smack him if she knew he was thinking that. He had blamed himself for not being there to protect her, and she would remind him that he couldn't save everyone. Honestly something he knew all to well.

The quiet was nice this morning. It unfortunately allowed him the time to over think and over analyze things...but it also allowed him the peace and comfort he was seeking through taking pictures. The pinks and purples that lit up the sky, with just a hint of yellow allowed for some beautiful pictures. Seeing the pink and yellow reminded him of Rose. He's not sure why he couldn't get her out of his mind, but there she was.

He shook his head. No really, there she was, running on the beach. He briefly thought about calling out to her, but noticed the ear buds she had on and decided not to. Plus, he had a feeling she would turn right around and run as fast as she could away from him. He knew Jack had been calling her all week to come hang out, and she had turned him down each time. James also knew it was because of him. He hated knowing she wasn't hanging out with her friends because he was going to be there. He wanted to let her know that she had nothing to worry about over the incident at the pub.

She stopped for a moment to take deep breaths and look out across the water. She had a small smile on her face as she looked out into the ocean, and with the way the light was surrounding her, James couldn't help but raise his camera up and snap some pictures of her. Yes, he was totally creeping, but he couldn't help it. She seemed unguarded, relaxed, and he enjoyed seeing that.

Rose had always loved the beach, especially mornings like this. It was so peaceful, beautiful. She took her ear buds out so she could listen to the water. The sound of the waves slowly crashing against the beach brought a sense of peace. No matter what was going on in her life, she could come here, and find serenity.

That's one thing she refused to let him take away from her.

After a few more minutes of staring out into the endless water, she put her ear buds back in and turned to finish her run. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement. She turned to look, but didn't see anything. Her brows furrowed but decided it was nothing and started her run.

James decided to leave before she noticed him. After climbing into his car, he pulled the pictures up on his camera. He couldn't help but smile as he looked at the pictures of Rose. He wished she could always be that relaxed...he wished he could help her feel that relaxed.

He shook his head, not sure where that thought came from. He started the car up, decided to go grab a coffee. As he was waiting for his drink, he decided to call Jack, to put into motion a night Rose couldn't say no to.

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Rose heard her phone ring and grimaced when she saw the name. He was not going to give up.

"Hey Jack."

"You are not allowed to say no...beach party. Seriously you can't say no to that."

Oh he was good, real good. Jack knew Rose loved the beach.

"Jack, I don't know. Competition is coming up and practices are brutal."

"Nope not buying it. Already talked to your coach. You don't have practice Saturday. Coach even said you needed a break. So you can't get out of this Rose. Everyone is going to be there. They all miss you."

Rose sat on her bed and bit her lip. "I miss seeing them too, but Jack, you know why I can't. I can't see...James. I'm too embarrassed. I can't believe I flipped out like that."

Jack sighed. "Rose, James feels just a bad. He actually has been wanting to apologize to you."

"Apologize for what? He's not the one who went mental that night."

"I don't know. He just feels bad. That's James. Besides, you may not even run into him, with the number of people coming. Come on Rosie, for me."

Oh he went in for the kill. He knew he could get her to do anything when he called her Rosie. She fell back on her bed and smiled.

"Ugh, ok fine, I'll come." Jack whooped over the phone and she laughed. "What do I need to bring?"

"The guys and I are handling the meat, so whatever you else you want to bring, bring it. Just gonna be a smorgasbord of stuff."

"Ohhh look at you with your fancy words."

"Oi! Watch it now."

"Oi, don't take my word."

Jack laughed. "Alright I will see you Saturday. And you can't back out. Martha already said if you change your mind she'll make you regret it. You don't cross Martha."

"Oh don't I know it. I promise Jack...just maybe play interference for me if you see James?"

Jack sighed and shook his head. "Rose, seriously. He's a nice guy. There's no reason to be weird around him."

"Doesn't matter, I'd rather not discuss all that at the party, in front of people. I mean I'm sure everyone knows about the other night..."

"They don't."

"Really? He didn't say anything? Nothing about the mental girl?"

"Rose, I told you, he is a good guy. He wouldn't talk about you like that. When people ask where you are, I just tell them busy training. When they ask if he's met you yet, he's says yes. James said it was a pleasure to meet you."

Rose stayed quiet on the line, having trouble believing that James had not made a reference to her outburst.

"He's a good guy Rose, I promise. And he really does think your nice. Just give it another go. Another friend is always nice to have, isn't it?"

Rose sighed. "Yeah, maybe. Just have to get over my embarrassment I guess. If I can."

"Good girl. Alright, I will see you Saturday...no backing out ok."

"Yes Captain."

"Shut up Rosie."